With the Prince Rupert Rampage beating the Terrace River Kings on the scoreboard Saturday night, they notched another win off the ice as they donated all proceeds of the exhibition game to Rampage co-founder and former coach and manager Frank Pyde and his battle with cancer.
A grand total of $5,392 was collected by the team to go towards a local health care facility of Pyde’s choosing.
“It’s nice to see the support we’ve gotten from the community – just people stopping me on the street and asking how he’s doing and wishing him well. It’s just a really cool thing to have such a big stage for showing that support. It means a lot, we know the love’s there,” said Frank’s son, Micah, who attended the game with the family, including Frank himself, who watched the first period.
Frank co-founded the team in 2008 and was not only its organizer, but its coach for four years and general manager.
“He’s put a lot of time and effort into the Rampage and he’s really appreciated that they’re showing the support back. He was cheering it up a little bit [in the stands earlier],” said Micah.
Frank is currently undergoing chemotherapy and his spirits are high when the effects of the treatment wear off a few days after the treatment, said Micah.
“I know for a lot of the players, [the night] was huge. Most of these guys were even coached by him in minor hockey, so they’re very focused and very cognizant about Frank being here and what it was about,” said Rampage manager Ron German.
Frank was a jack of all trades in the rhinos’ early years, said Micah.
“He was the head coach, the general manager, he also did all the laundry – he did everything. He had a lot of help from Ron German and [trainer] Jules [Robinson] as well, but he was a big part of it. He’s moved on to other things now, but it was a big part of his life for a very long time,” he said.